Perfect Lake Como two day itinerary

Visiting Lake Como and wondering what you can fit in to two days? This is the perfect Lake Como itinerary for your two days in paradise!

Best time to go is a tricky one, we arrived in late April assuming it would be lovely and it was rainy and cold! I had packed so many pretty dresses and just wore my jeans and warm clothes because it was so cold. Needless to say I was disappointed. If you don’t care about this them April was fine! It did rain a bit on our first day. I would honestly recommend to go in May at the earliest. Although you can still experience the rain at any time the weather will be warmer and the days a little nicer. I am hoping to return closer to summer!

Location and getting there

Lake Como is in the north of Italy, it is close to Milan and most people will arrive from this airport. From there you can take a train, bus or private taxi. Taxi is expensive, the bus is a longer option, we love the trains, they are comfortable and easy to navigate.

We came from St Moritz in Switzerland and took the bus from there. Unfortunately we missed the best option for the bus which is the Palm Express, it is the fastest bus from St Moritz to Lake Como and will drop you in Menaggio. That is the best way to get from St Moritz to Lake Como. If you can’t take that one then there are other options such as a series of buses and trains (which is what we did but this is not as easy as the palm express) or you can take the scenic train from St Moritz to Tirano. Then catch a train to Lake Como and a bus to the town you are staying at. We wanted to do the train but missed it which was sad!

Where to stay in Lake Como

There are four main options, Menaggio, Como, Varenna and Bellagio.

Bellagio

Bellagio is the most expensive, we didn’t get there but have heard it is beautiful and worth the visit but if you can’t afford to stay there a day is fine.

Como

Como town has the most accommodation options, it has tons of food choices, the best pricing and boat and bus access to the other towns. It is the least expensive and has the widest choice of all the areas. We spent a night at the Sheraton Lake Como and it was incredible! It is it;s own little private oasis, located just out of Como (10 minutes or less by bus) it is so luxurious and spacious, the pool area is to die for and the breakfast is divine! Definitely the best place to stay in Como!

The luxurious bathrooms in Sheraton Lake Como feel like a spa

Varenna

Varenna is a beautiful town, very quaint with a lot of pretty streets to wander through. It is very easy to spend a whole day here and I could have stayed there longer. Prices are mid range to expensive.

Menaggio

Menaggio is midrange to expensive, has a lot of food and drink options and really feels more local. The square at the water front is charming as are the streets to walk through.

We stayed for one night at Menaggio at the Hotel Garni Corona, it was so perfect! A little traditional and family owned hotel with rooms overlooking the lake! The staff are lovely and the rooms were renovated perfectly. If you stay in Menaggio definitely check them out, if you want our room just ask them for the room Passport Nomads had and they will help you.

Entrance to the historic Hotel Garni Corona

Beautiful details in the historic Hotel Garni Corona

Perfect Lake Como two day itinerary

Ok so what can you do in two days in Lake Como? A lot! It doesn’t seem like it but it is a big area to cover. Check out how we would divide up our town for a two day trip to perfect Lake Como!

Day 1 of your perfect Lake Como itinerary

Wake up and have a great breakfast, Italians hotels really do good brekky, the Sheraton Lake Como breakfast is legendary and the best we have ever experienced, if you stay there…do not miss it!

Spend the morning wandering the beautiful old town of Como. Take the funicular up to the viewpoint above the city and obsess over the beautiful views. Visit one of the many villas near to Como.

Have lunch at one of the many restaurants in Como City. There really is something for everyone. Then grab a gelato!

Head back to Sheraton Lake Como to spend the afternoon by the pool. This is the most beautiful pool area and should not be missed! There is a pool bar and cafe if you want to relax with a drink or snack.

Incredible pool area at Sheraton Lake Como

Have dinner at the magnificent Kitchen Restaurant or the modern Gusto Restaurant!

Beautiful Kitchen Restaurant at Sheraton Lake Como

Day 2 of your perfect Lake Como itinerary

Jump on either a bus or the fast boat from Como to Mennagio. The bus is very easy, it will be the C10 and it will go along the lake to Menaggio. It takes about an hour but is much faster than the slow boat which is approximately two or three hours.

The fast boat is 45 minutes to the triangle of cute towns as I call it, Menaggio, Bellagio and Varenna. It costs about 15 euro pp each way. You can but a day ticket that includes the slow boats and the little boats that go between the triangle of cute towns. You just pay a supplement of about 5 euro each trip on the fast boat.

As this day is all about visiting the towns along the lake the day ticket is the best option and you can buy it online ( do this early as they sell out online). If not you’ll have to line up at the lake ticket box. That would be fine usually but when we went the line up was around the lake. It was so long we just jumped on a bus and went to Menaggio.

Once in Menaggio stay at Hotel Garni Corona for a night. Right on the lake it is picture perfect, make sure to ask for a room with a view of the lake!

Spend a few hours walking the town. Sit in the square and have a coffee or a gelati at La Fabrica del Gelato.

Jump on a boat to Varenna!

Varenna may be my favourite town. It is definitely the cutest and has the most streets to walk through. Every corner reveals another photo opportunity!

You can visit two villas here and a castle. You can also just sit at the lake with a drink or some lunch. The time is yours to spend as you like! We loved the waterfront here, there are so many bars and cafes to relax and enjoy.

Jump on the next boat to Bellagio the last town to explore in the perfect Lake Como itinerary. Walk the streets, find your perfect Instagram photo spot. Stay for drinks overlooking the lake before heading back to Menaggio for the night.

We loved visiting Lake Como, even with the first day of rain it was beautiful. If you would like any help planning your trip or have any questions just leave them in the comments and we will help you! If you want either of the rooms we stayed at ask the properties for the rooms Passport Nomads had and they will help you!